Nowadays if you have to buy a product you stay at home, even mo re in Russia. If we want to keep the desire of going to technology st ores for shopping we should be able to offer something beyond a place to buy generics appliances. The store should spin around the experience more than around the products. The important element is the magnetized air among them more than the devices themselves.
With that statement in mind, we responded to a enquiry launched by the Russian Telecom, Megafon, about what the technological retail future could be. We developed the design and architectural project within a broader brand proposal designed by Saffron Brand Consultants.
Our main idea was to transform the store in a plaza . A circular arena or a round market. That plaza would be the platform to hold multiple activities, presentations, meet people... surrounded by some technological stalls. This elements aquired the image of magical monoliths. These intelligent and friendly robots comunicate with the visitors and define an special area where the most simbolic symbols of our age are displayed: mobile phones. The technological challenge was to blend the online and offline experience. Beacon technologies was inserted in the space to indentify directly the customers by the monoliths and the rest of the devices (tactile sc reens, tablets, payment services...) The number of shop assistants was reduced, just some few experts as the Super Granny Guru an older “therapist” who h elp the mature customers to get up to speed with technology.
The space was wrapped by a technological ribbon where semitransparent curtains and folded walls were combined with interactive screens where you can visit the online platform or designed apps to book your fol lowing experience (concerts, restaurants...). The phisical design has been developed in paralell to a Virtual Reality application. So if you don´t want to leave your home for shopping at least put your VR glasses on :)
